Blue Jays trade Stroman to Mets for 2 pitching prospects
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded right-handed starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets along with cash considerations in exchange for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson, the team announced Sunday.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Blue Jays sent $2.5 million to the Mets in the deal.
Stroman departed the Blue Jays' clubhouse following Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays without speaking to reporters, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.
He did, however, send out a pair of farewell tweets to Toronto.
Toronto, I love you...forever! 🇨🇦
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) July 28, 2019
CANADA. TORONTO. Words can’t really explain the extent of my appreciation and love. Beyond thankful and blessed to have played for this unbelievable nation. Thank you for your constant support, love, and loyalty. I’ll be back plenty in the future! 🇨🇦
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) July 29, 2019
Stroman then followed with a tweet about how excited he is to be joining the Mets.
NEW YORK! Where I was born. Where my heart lies. Where my family resides. Crazy excited for this part of my journey. Some things were meant to be! @Mets #HDMH pic.twitter.com/Z2H3GaxfLG
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) July 29, 2019
The diminutive 28-year-old is in the midst of a fantastic season, having authored a 2.96 ERA in 21 starts across 124 2/3 innings. He was also selected to the All-Star Game earlier this month.
Stroman leads the American League with a 56.3 ground-ball percentage and has recorded his lowest FIP (3.52) since his rookie campaign in 2014.
"Marcus is a dynamic talent who will bring tremendous passion to our team and energy our fans will truly appreciate," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said, according to Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports. "As a Long Island native, we believe that Marcus will thrive playing in New York."
The Mets will have club control over Stroman until the end of the 2020 season. He's earning $7.4 million this year and will be arbitration-eligible in 2020.
Before Sunday's deal, Stroman was reportedly being pursued by a number of teams, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox.
Kay is a 24-year-old left-hander who was selected by the Mets with the 31st overall pick of the 2016 draft.
In 19 starts split between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse this season, Kay has fashioned a 3.13 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings.
With Syracuse, however, he's struggled to a 6.61 ERA with seven home runs allowed in 31 1/3 innings.
Woods Richardson, 18, was a second-round pick of the Mets in 2018. In 20 starts for Single-A Columbia, he's posted a 4.25 ERA and a 2.55 FIP with an 11.1 K/9 rate across 78 1/3 innings.